Self-stabilizing, true-tilting pad with generally tapered pocket for journal bearing

Apparatus for supporting a shaft within a housing that holds fluid, the shaft including a convex surface and adapted to be rotated by a prime mover, the shaft tending during rotation to orbit in a path approximating an ellipse having axes, comprising:

• a first true-tilting pad pivotally supported by a first pivot, the first true-tilting pad including a leading portion adapted to be positioned upstream relative to a rotation direction of the shaft and a trailing portion adapted to be positioned downstream relative to the rotation direction of the shaft, the first true-tilting pad having a face including a border region and extending generally longitudinally between the leading and trailing portions of the first true-tilting pad, the border region of the first true-tilting pad including an engagement surface and defining a pocket for hydrodynamically increasing pressure on the convex surface during the rotation, said pocket of said first true-tilting pad having generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom, and
• a second true-tilting pad pivotally supported by a second pivot, the second true-tilting pad including a leading portion adapted to be positioned upstream relative to the rotation direction of the shaft and a trailing portion adapted to be positioned downstream relative to the rotation direction of the shaft, the second true-tilting pad having a face including a border region and extending generally longitudinally between the leading and trailing portions of the second true-tilting pad, the border region of the second true-tilting pad including an engagement surface and defining a pocket for hydrodynamically increasing pressure on the convex surface during the rotation, said pocket of said second true-tilting pad having generally longitudinal sidebars and a bottom;
• wherein the first and second true-tilting pads are adapted to cooperate with each other, a number of other pads, and the fluid to hydrodynamically and mechanically increase support for the shaft, the leading and trailing portions of the first true-tilting pad tiltable free of mechanical engagement with the second true-tilting pad and with the number of other pads, the leading and trailing portions of the second true-tilting pad tiltable free of mechanical engagement with the first true-tilting pad and with the number of other pads.

A true-tilting pad pivotally supported by a hydrostatic pivot as well as leading and trailing cam pivots that are fixedly connected with a housing having an inner surface, the true-tilting pad adapted to cooperate with one or more other pads and fluid within the housing to hydrodynamically and mechanically support a shaft that is adapted to be rotated by a prime mover and has a convex surface, comprising:

• a leading portion adapted to be positioned upstream relative to a rotation direction of the shaft;
• a trailing portion adapted to be positioned downstream relative to the rotation direction of the shaft;
• the leading and trailing portions tiltable free of mechanical engagement with the other pads;
• the leading and trailing portions formed for tilt guidance with respect to the convex surface of the shaft by the respective leading and trailing cam pivots;
• a face including a border region and extending generally longitudinally between the leading and trailing portions, the border region including an engagement surface and defining a pocket with a generally tapered profile;
• a backside defining a cavity;
• and
• a body defining a conduit between the pocket and the cavity;
• wherein during rotation of the shaft the pocket hydrodynamically increases pressure on the convex surface of the shaft and hydrostatically increases pressure on the inner surface of the housing.